Efficacy of Hydrogel Mask with 2% Arbutin for Melasma

Background: Melasma is a common, acquired, symmetrical hypermelanosis that occurs on sun exposed areas of the skin. It is more prevalent among Asian women than among Caucasian women. Many different treatment modalities have been used with various efficacies, but none of them have been completely satisfactory. Arbutin is a naturally occurring gluconopyranoside that may reduce tyrosinase activity, which is a rate-limiting enzyme for melanin production. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the depigmenting effect and safety of a mask that contains 2% arbutin for the treatment of melasma. Methods: A total of 54 female volunteers with melasma were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, 8-week treatment study. The patients were instructed to apply an arbutin-containing mask or an arbutin-free mask once a day for 8 weeks. The assessment of outcomes included the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score, colorimetric value (L*), overall patient satisfaction and investigator assessment score (evaluated using photography). Results: The arbutin-containing mask significantly increased the right and left colorimetric values (L*) after the 8-week treatment (p 0.05). The arbutin mask scored better than the control in patient satisfaction and investigator assessment. No significant adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion: The arbutin mask appears to be effective and well-tolerated when used for the treatment of melasma. (Korean J Dermatol 2011;49(3):210∼216)